GovernmentExecutive.com

The 2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission, led by former Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi, will be sworn in prior to the panel's first public hearing May 3, according to congressional sources.

The hearing will be held to prepare for the Pentagon's list of recommended base closures, scheduled to be released May 16.

The panel will hear testimony from Barry Holman, director of defense capabilities and management for the Government Accountability Office, and Daniel Else, a defense analyst with the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service.

The witnesses are expected to provide background on the process, including a general overview of BRAC, the history of previous commissions and specifics regarding how the Pentagon creates its base closure list.

COMMENTS

• Even if the they close all of the bases on the list, there will still be more than enough bases for all of our troops. Keep in mind that many bases are cold war leftovers that don't even have a purpose in modern warfare. Many were depots that are underutilized because they no long have access to railroads. They are completely surrounded by urban sprawl which makes it tough to maintain security. They are just obsolete. There are a lot bases that are mostly populated with WWI and WWII buildings that are run down and no longer fit to use. The military doesn't store as many parts and supplies as they used to because manufacturers can deliver on relatively short notice. What many people don't understand is that a lot of DOD facilities do little more than exist just to exist. They are empires sustained by politicians and overseen by some of DOD's worst commanders. They suck in resources like stars going into a black hole. If our nation lacks security it's more likely to be because resources are being wasted to maintain these facilities that should have been closed down decades ago. Money is being spent on them that could be going toward modernizing the military and providing decent housing for our troops. Close them down and close some more. There is a lot of catching up to do. Robert M. Posted April 21, 2005 5:05 PM
• How can we even think about closing bases, when we are in such a mess. We need to bring our military home and start protecting our homeland more. We could save money elsewhere. WHAT A MESS!!! GovExec.com reader Posted April 21, 2005 8:19 AM